Peru Signature: Lima, the Amazon and Machu Picchu

Upon arrival to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, you will be greeted by a local representative after clearing Customs and exiting through Arrivals. You will then be directed to an awaiting vehicle where you can settle in for a private transfer to your hotel. 

This morning, your private guide will welcome you the wonders of the Peruvian capital. To begin, you’ll start at the center of it all, the Plaza de Armas, which was where – on January 18, 1535 – Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizzaro founded the city. From here, the sprawling and UNESCO-listed historic city center, including Plaza de Armas and the Convent of Santo Domingo can be explored in all its grandeur. Later in the morning, explore the Museo Larco (Larco Museum), famous for its remarkable collection of Pre-Columbian art. Here, you’ll see and learn about everything from funerary bundles to head adornments, and from erotic art to sacrificial ceremonies. After ample time to explore the museum, your guide will return you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure and consider exploring Lima’s Larcomar, a coastal shopping complex complete with great restaurants and excellent views of the Pacific. 

Equipped with an understanding of Lima’s history, now it’s time to learn about the city’s modern passion: gastronomy. Beginning with a guided walking tour of Barranco, Lima's bohemian art district, invigorate yourself with a sample of organic Peruvian coffee, then tour the barrios lively and colorful market (while tasting a few fresh fruits). Later, you’ll head to Miraflores with its dazzling Pacific views to participate in a beachside ceviche and pisco sour preparation class. With new recipes and techniques in tow, next you’ll be whisked away to a lovely setting to dine on an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts overlooking the ruins of the impressive adobe and clay pyramid, Huaca Pucllana. Rounding out the experience, you will be returned to your hotel. Please note: this tour can be modified to accommodate a range of dietary requirements, please speak to your Destination Specialist for more information. 

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport ahead of your domestic flight from Lima to Iquitos. Upon arrival to Iquitos, you will be greeted by representatives of the M/V Aria. Lunch will be served either at a local restaurant or en route to the ship (depending on flight arrival time). Later, you will be introduced to the local community and also enjoy a tour of historic Iquitos before boarding the deluxe boutique M/V Aria, an incredible ship dedicated to exploring the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. Settle into your generously sized suite before participating in a routine safety drill, meet your naturalist guides, then gather to enjoy innovative Amazonian cuisine created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurants have won awards for serving some of Peru’s finest fare.

By skiff, explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Wildlife abounds in these regions, and in particular, a wide range of colorful macaws are often spotted here. Later, join naturalists aboard the skiffs again and cruise along the El Dorado River as part of a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife, complimented by extraordinary stargazing. Throughout the day, enjoy fantastic cuisine. 

The rewards of an early start to the day are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by jungle symphony and fishing along the black waters of the Pacaya River. After lunch, venture out by skiffs on the Ucayali River alongside banana boats transporting their jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins. Later in the evening, a hi-tech telescope will be trained on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

After breakfast, choose to go for a jungle walk, or instead set out on a canoeing, kayaking or swimming adventure in the black waters of the Yarapa or Clavero River. In the early afternoon, you’ll visit a remote Amazonian village, and in the evening, just before dinner, gather with fellow travelers for an introduction to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have yet met, those working "behind the scenes" to ensure exceptional experiences aboard the M/V Aria.

At the Bellavista Nanay morning market along the Nanay River, sample exotic snacks from the Peruvian Amazon like ‘Suri’, Amazon caterpillars that are considered especially appetizing. Return to the M/V Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will make a last, truly memorable stop: visiting the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. After final disembarkation, visit the San Juan craft market en route to the airport. As upon arrival, a lunch in a restaurant or a box lunch will be provided, depending on the timing of your departing flight. Once in Lima, you will again be met by local representative and transferred to your hotel. After settling into your room for the evening, you will then be met transferred to Cala Restaurant to enjoy a seaside dinner of Peruvian fusion cuisine before returning to you hotel for a night of rest.

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport ahead of your domestic flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to the Sacred Valley. Along the way you’ll stop at Hacienda Sarapampa, a family-operated leisure ranch where giant white Cuzco corn is cultivated. Here you’ll learn about the family traditions and techniques employed to develop this unique strain of corn before enjoying a delicious, organic lunch. Afterward, you will be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley and relax for the evening to acclimatize to the increased elevation.

Following breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the base of the Sacred Valley’s SkyLodge Adventure Suites; a camp perched high on the cliff of a massive rock face. Alongside up to 12 like-minded travellers, your undertaking begins with a thrilling 400-meter vertical climb by way of the SkyLodge’s via ferrata. After scaling the valley walls, you’ll reach a transparent capsule suspended in the air where you will break for a delicious lunch above the marvelous Sacred Valley of the Incas. After eating and taking in the spectacular views, you can choose to use a series of zip lines to reach the valley floor, or rappel your way down. A unique experience few will have the opportunity to enjoy, the tour wraps up with a return transfer to your hotel. 

The Misminay community is found in the heart of the Sacred Valley, just a short drive from the Inca ruins of Moray. Within this small community of roughly 150 families, time-honed ancestral farming techniques are still in use today, and with impressive results! Today, you will be introduced to this vibrant and warm community and have the opportunity to learn about and participate in the day-to-day activities at Misminay. After first being familiarized with farming traditions and tools, you’ll then enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared lunch before learning about textile production, and more specifically, about wool and natural dyes. An authentic, local experience, your visit to the Misminay community is sure to be a trip highlight. 

You’ll need to rise early today to prepare for what is sure to be an incredible adventure. Following breakfast, your guide will whisk you away to the base of Ollantaytambo Fortress. A dominating, imposing terraced fortress at the base of Ollantaytambo, this fortress was one of very few where Inca forces were able to repel the Conquistadors in 1536 CE. After a quick tour of the fortress, you’ll be taken to the nearby train station to board the Vistadome, which will then shuttle you to Aguas Calientes, found in the foothills beneath incredible Machu Picchu. After disembarking from the train, you will be met by a local representative who will direct you to the nearby bus terminal where you will find a seat and begin to climb the road to Machu Picchu (please note: hotel staff in Aguas Calientes will porter your luggage to your hotel). Upon arrival, settle in for a fantastic lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, then meet your awaiting guide to set out on a tour of Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most incredible wonders. After the tour, you’ll board the bus again and drive to the base of the mountain, exit, and check in to your hotel for the evening. 

Having witnessed the majesty of Machu Picchu alongside a local guide, it is now time to make a second visit to the Inca citadel to catch a glimpse of this iconic site guided only by your curiosity. After a relaxing morning, make your way to board the bus, revisit Machu Picchu in the early afternoon, and toward the end of your visit, enjoy high tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Afterward, board a bus from Machu Picchu exclusive to guests of the Belmond Hiram Bingham train and transfer to the train station. Upon arrival, board the Hiram Bingham train – a deluxe train with service to Cusco – where you’ll be able to relax in luxury and enjoy a fantastic dinner as you travel from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Named after the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu, the train has two dining cars, an observation car and a kitchen car. Decorated in the style of 1920s Pullman carriages, each has been furnished in polished wood and brass with large comfortable armchairs. Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel.

Known as the Imperial City and once the Incan capital, Cusco has been a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Your encompassing tour begins at San Pedro Market, a local favorite where you can explore the colors, flavors and traditions of modern Cusco alongside sights and sounds dating back to Incan times. The tour then continues to Koricancha Temple, an ancient Incan palace. Only discovered after an earthquake revealed the ruins below the Dominican church on top, the temple was the center for the worshipping of the Sun God, the central spiritual deity of the Inca’s. Later, continue to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Incan military architecture. Wonder at the masonry work while remembering the Inca’s did not utilize the wheel, so these stones - some over 30 feet tall - were man-handled precisely into place. Next, explore the mysterious Q'enqo archeological site, and soon after, return to the city to reach the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where you will visit the Cathedral, built on the foundations of an Incan temple. In the evening and after a few hours at leisure, your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby to escort you to Cicciolina. One of the city’s premier restaurants, and in fact, one of the best in the country (and therefore the world!), settle in for one final gastronomic treat as you dine at Cicciolina on this, your last evening in magnificent Peru.

After breakfast, it is time to meet your driver in the hotel lobby who will then transfer you to Cusco Airport. Here you will board your domestic flight to Lima. Upon arrival to Lima, connect to your outbound international flight (International flights are not included in itinerary price).